Thermal Control of Automotive Systems by the Application of Macro-Encapsulated Phase Change Materials

11:00 am

Barbara Pause / Founder, TTI LLC

Heat can be mitigated, energy can be saved and the performance of automotive systems can be enhanced by the application of phase change material (PCM). PCM possesses the ability to change its physical state from solid to liquid within a material-specific temperature range. This process requires a lot of energy. The energy is drawn out of the PCM’s surroundings in the form of heat. During the entire melting process, the PCM’s temperature remains constant. Because PCMs take heat away from their surroundings and store the heat without becoming hot themselves, they provide a cooling effect.

TTI has found a way to durably contain non-combustible and highly efficient salt hydrate PCMs within a polymeric compound by a crosslinking procedure. This macro-encapsulation of the salt hydrate PCMs prevents their dissolution while they are liquid. The polymeric compound with the which also contains an adhesive component is, for instance, formed into a film. The film can be made in different thicknesses and can be equipped with a variety of PCMs in accordance with the requirements of the prevailing automotive system. Due to the adhesive component added to the polymer, the film can be easily laminated to various materials the automotive systems consist of.

In the presentation, applications of the polymeric film with the prevailing salt hydrate PCM macro-encapsulated therein in battery/engine systems as well as in the automotive interior will be introduced. Furthermore, results received in tests of the various systems as well as estimates of energy and fuel savings will be discussed.